Vascular hole closure device

ABSTRACT

A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. Two curved legs are provided having portions positionable external of the vessel and having first and second loop portions positioned external to the internal region of the vessel wall to contact tissue.

This application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/959,356, filed Jul. 13, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This application relates to a vascular device and more particularly to a device for closing openings in vessel walls.

2. Background of Related Art

During certain types of vascular surgery, catheters are inserted through an incision in the skin and underlying tissue to access the femoral artery in the patient's leg. The catheter is then inserted through the access opening made in the wall of the femoral artery and guided through the artery to the desired site to perform surgical procedures such as angioplasty or plaque removal. After the surgical procedure is completed and the catheter is removed from the patient, the access hole must be closed. This is quite difficult not only because of the high blood flow from the artery, but also because there are many layers of tissue that must be penetrated to reach the femoral artery.

Several approaches to date have been used to close femoral access holes. In one approach, manual compression by hand over the puncture site is augmented by a sandbag or weight until the blood coagulates. With this approach, it can take up to six hours for the vessel hole to close and for the patient to be able to ambulate. This inefficiency increases the surgical procedure time as well as the overall cost of the procedure since the hospital staff must physically maintain pressure and the patient's discharge is delayed because of the inability to ambulate.

In another approach to close the vessel puncture site, a clamp is attached to the operating table and the patient's leg. The clamp applies pressure to the vessel opening. The patient, however, must still be monitored to ensure the blood is coagulating, requiring additional time of the hospital staff and increasing the cost of the procedure.

To avoid the foregoing disadvantages of manual pressure approaches, suturing devices have been developed. One such suturing device, referred to as “the Closer” and sold by Perclose, advances needles adjacent the vessel wall opening and pulls suture material outwardly through the wall adjacent the opening. The surgeon then ties a knot in the suture, closing the opening. One difficulty with the procedure involves the number of steps required by the surgeon to deploy the needles, capture the suture, withdraw the suture, and tie the knot and secure the suture. Moreover, the surgeon cannot easily visualize the suture because of the depth of the femoral artery (relative to the skin) and essentially ties the suture knot blindly or blindly slips a pre-tied knot into position. Additionally, the ability to tie the knot varies among surgeons; therefore success and accuracy of the hole closure can be dependent on the skill of the surgeon. Yet another disadvantage of this suturing instrument is that the vessel opening is widened for insertion of the instrument, thus creating a bigger opening to close in the case of failure to deliver the closure system. It is also difficult to pass the needle through calcified vessels.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,364 discloses another approach for sealing a vessel puncture in the form of a device having an expandable closure member with a filament for pulling it against the vessel wall. The closure member is held in place by a strip of tape placed on the skin to hold the filament in place. However, the closure device is still subject to movement which can cause leakage through the puncture. Additionally, if the suture becomes loose, the closure member is not retained and can flow downstream in the vessel. Moreover, since the suture extends through the skin, a potential pathway for infection is created. The closure device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,178 includes a resorbable collagen foam plug located within the puncture tract. However, since coagulation typically takes up to twenty minutes and blood can leak in between the plug and tissue tract, manual pressure must be applied to the puncture for a period of time, until the collagen plug expands within the tract.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a device which would more quickly and effectively close openings (punctures) in vessel walls. Such device would advantageously avoid the aforementioned time and expense of applying manual pressure to the opening, simplify the steps required to close the opening, avoid widening of the opening, and more effectively retain the closure device in the vessel.

Commonly assigned co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/847,141, filed May 17, 2004, discloses effective vascular hole closure devices which have the foregoing advantages. It would be further advantageous to provide a hole closure device which provides the additional advantage of increased clamping force.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art. The present invention provides a device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device comprises a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. Two legs are provided having first and second loop portions positioned external to the internal region of the vessel wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the legs are fabricated from a unitary material. Preferably, the legs are composed of shape memory metal material and the covering member is composed of a resorbable material.

In one embodiment, the legs are fabricated from a material which separates at a first region to form the legs and the material includes a connection region spaced distally from the first region to connect the legs to the covering member. In one embodiment, the legs are fabricated of metal material and the covering member is fabricated of a polymeric material molded over the metal material. In one embodiment, the covering member is composed of a resorbable material.

In one embodiment, the first and second loop portions are substantially symmetrical. In one embodiment, the legs have a connection portion extending through a slot in the covering member. The legs are formed for example from a flat sheet of metal, a round wire, or a tubing with slits to bow outwardly and an annealed metal. In a preferred embodiment, the legs curve outwardly upon application of an external force against a portion of the legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the closure device of the present invention showing the clip legs and retention tabs in their memorized position;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the clip portion of a second embodiment of the closure device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the closure device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the closure device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the closure device of FIG. 1 in the delivery position;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the closure device of FIG. 1 in a partially delivered position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective showing a portion of the vessel cut away to illustrate placement of the closure device of FIG. 1 in the vessel opening, the clip legs and retention tabs being shown in the memorized position and the surrounding tissue not shown for clarity;

FIGS. 6, 6A and 7 are perspective, front and side views, respectively, of an alternate embodiment of the closure device of the present invention showing the clip legs and retention tabs in their memorized position;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective and front views, respectively, of another alternate embodiment of the closure device of the present invention showing the clip legs and the retention tab in the memorized position;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the closure device of the present invention shown in the memorized position;

FIG. 10B is an exploded view of the closure device of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D is a top view of the closure device of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10E is a cross-sectional view of the covering member of FIG. 10D;

FIG. 10F is a side view of the closure device of FIG. 10A in the delivery configuration;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment of the closure device of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is an exploded view of the closure device of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is a side view of the device of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11D is a top view of the closure device of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 illustrates the device of FIG. 10 utilized to close an opening in a vessel; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a delivery catheter inserted via a femoral approach to access a septal defect, the catheter extending from the femoral artery to a position adjacent the septal defect between the atria of the heart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawings where like reference numerals identify similar or like components throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the vascular hole (aperture) closure device of the present invention. The device is intended to close an aperture in the vessel wall, typically formed after removal of a catheter previously inserted through the vessel wall into the vessel lumen for performing angioplasty or other interventional procedures. The aperture extends through the patient's skin and underlying tissue, through the external wall of the vessel, through the wall of the vessel, and through the internal wall of the vessel to communicate with the internal lumen of the vessel. The closure devices of the present invention have a covering member or patch positioned within the vessel positioned against the internal wall of the vessel to block blood flow and a clip positioned external of the vessel wall to retain the covering member. The clip pulls the covering member upwardly towards the aperture. The device in some embodiments further includes a retention tab(s) also positioned external of the vessel, but closer to the vessel wall, and preferably in abutment with the external wall of the vessel or tissue abutting the external vessel wall, to limit movement of the device towards the vessel aperture once the closure device is in position to close the aperture. Thus, movement of the patch away from the internal wall of the vessel is restricted.

Turning first to FIGS. 1-5, a first embodiment of the closure device of the present invention is illustrated. Hole (aperture) closure device 10 has a covering member or patch 40 and a clip portion 11 having two legs 20 and 22 and two retention tabs or members 30 and 32. The covering member 40 is dimensioned and configured for positioning inside the vessel on the internal side of the vessel aperture against the internal wall of the vessel; the legs 20, 22 are configured to be positioned outside the vessel wall proximal the external side of the vessel aperture; and the tabs 30, 32 are configured to be positioned on the external side of the vessel aperture adjacent or against the external wall of the vessel.

Covering member 40, preferably elongated in configuration as shown, is retained in a delivery tube in a longitudinal position for delivery to the vessel, and then pivots to a transverse position within the vessel lumen (substantially perpendicular to an axis extending through the aperture), for orientation to cover (patch) the vessel aperture on the internal side. This movement is illustrated in FIGS. 37A-37D of commonly assigned co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/847,141 (the “141 application”), filed May 17, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The clip legs 20, 22 and tabs 30, 32 are retained in the delivery tube in an elongated substantially straightened position for delivery to the vessel. This delivery position is illustrated in FIG. 4A. They are preferably composed of shape memory material and preferably maintained in this straightened martensitic position (during delivery) by the injection of cold saline. When released from the delivery tube, they move toward their memorized position as described below.

The elongated covering member 40 functions to cover (patch) the internal opening in the vessel wall to prevent the egress of blood. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the covering member 40 is oval shaped with elongated parallel side walls 42 a, 42 b and parallel end walls 44 a, 44 b connecting the side walls 42 a, 42 b. Although the ends preferably have straight wall portions 44 a, 44 b, curved walls are also contemplated. Covering member has a thicker region 43 in the central region than the first and second end regions 45, 47.

As noted above, clip legs 20 and 22 and retention tabs 30 and 32 of clip portion 11 are preferably composed of shape memory material, such as Nitinol (nickel titanium alloy). The memorized position is shown in FIG. 1. The clip portion is preferably fabricated from a single sheet, strip or ribbon of material by stamping, laser cutting or other processes. This flat sheet (or strip or ribbon) of material has a width p greater than its thickness r. In a preferred embodiment, the width p is about 0.050 inches and the thickness r is about 0.007 inches. The width q of each of the legs 20, 22 is preferably about 0.023 inches. Distal of the slot 27, in tab region 35, the width of the material preferably widens to a maximum width H (FIG. 2) of about 0.076 inches. Each tab 30, 32 preferably has a width J at its widest portion of about 0.026 inches. Other dimensions are contemplated.

Although two tabs and two legs are shown, alternatively, more than two legs, e.g. three or four legs, or a single leg, and more than two tabs or a single tab can all be formed from the metallic material. Also, the legs need not be symmetrically spaced with respect to one another nor need to curve in opposite directions. The tabs need not extend in the same direction.

Elongated slot 27 divides the material into the two clip legs 20, 22 so the legs can curve in opposite directions. Each of the legs 20, 22 curves outwardly as shown, respectively has blunt distal ends 20 a, 22 a and contains a notch 28, 29 near the proximal end, which together form a pin receiving opening (described below) when the legs are in their straightened delivery configuration. The tabs 30, 32 separate at region 35. The connecting region of the material (spaced from the leg region) forms an enlarged head or connection tab 26 for attachment to the covering member (patch) 40. That is, the covering member 40 is molded over the enlarged connection head 26 to attach the clip portion 11 to the covering member 40. Although a triangular shaped connection head is shown, other shaped connecting heads are contemplated for the embodiments herein, such as a ring 27′ of clip portion 11′ shown in FIG. 1A, which creates an enlarged region to increase the surface area to improve retention when the covering member is molded over the connecting head. Further, shapes such as ring 27′ improve the ability of the head to pull out of the vessel after resorbtion of the covering member.

As noted above, when the clip legs 20 and 22 are released from the delivery instrument, they are warmed by body temperature to curve as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The extent to which the clip legs can return to this memorized position will depend on the thickness and resistance of the tissue (and may also subsequently depend on the resorbtion of the patch). Once curved, the clip legs 20 and 22 grasp the tissue to retain the closure device 10 within the tissue and apply a proximal pulling force on the covering member 40 to pull it slightly upwardly (proximally) against the vessel wall. The legs may gather and force tissue toward the vessel wall. The retention tabs 30 and 32 prevent movement of the clip towards the vessel. That is, the bottom surface 31, 33 of tabs 30, 32, respectively, presses against the external wall of the vessel or against tissue seated atop the vessel wall, substantially parallel to the vessel wall. The tabs 30, 32 are spaced a sufficient distance from the covering member, e.g., about 2 mm during delivery, to ensure they are outside the vessel opening so they can move toward their flexed (memorized) position. Their memorized position is preferably about 2.79 mm from the covering member 40 as represented by distance DI in FIGS. 2 and 3. Other dimensions are contemplated. The tabs 30, 32 limit further movement of the clip 10 towards the vessel and helps to prevent the covering member 40 from separating from the vessel wall (e.g. moving in the direction toward the opposing vessel wall) which could create an unwanted gap between the covering member 40 and the opening to allow blood flow. Tabs 30, 32 preferably have blunt tips 36, 37.

The longitudinal axis of covering member 40 defines a lengthwise dimension L and transverse axes define widthwise dimensions. The widthwise dimension w of the covering member 40, as well as preferably the other covering members disclosed herein, is preferably about 2.5 mm (for a 6 Fr device). Other dimensions are also contemplated. The width w preferably is at least substantially equal to the dimension of the internal opening in the vessel wall to effectively cover the opening.

It should be appreciated that alternatively the covering member disclosed in the various embodiments herein could be provided with an enlarged width region as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the '141 application. The covering member could also be configured asymmetrically so that the enlarged region is off-centered to accommodate widening of the aperture as the member is pulled at an angle. The covering member could also be configured in a paddle shaped with a narrowed region adjacent a wider region as in FIGS. 9B-9E of the '141 application. Other covering member configurations including those disclosed in the '141 application could be utilized with the clips of this present application.

The elongated covering members disclosed herein can be composed of materials such as polycarbonate or polyurethane, or alternatively and preferably is composed of resorbable materials such as lactide/glycolide copolymers that after a period of time resorb in the body, leaving only the clip portion external of the vessel lumen. If composed of resorbable material, the covering member could optionally have regions of varying resorbability. Varying degrees of resorbability can be achieved by utilizing different materials having differing resorbable characteristics or by varying the thickness of the regions of the covering member (the thicker regions taking a longer time to resorb).

In a preferred embodiment, the covering member 40 has a length of about 8 mm (in a 6 French system) and the length of the clip portion 11 in the straightened delivery configuration is also about 9 mm (measured from the top surface 41 of the covering member 40). The slot 27 in this preferred embodiment begins at a distance D3 of about 4.5 mm from the top surface 41 of the covering member 40. The tabs 30, 32 in this embodiment begin at region 35, a distance D4 (FIG. 2) of about 4 mm from the top surface 41 of covering member 40. It should be appreciated that these dimensions are for one preferred embodiment as other dimensions are clearly also contemplated. The dimensions may also differ for other French size systems.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, designated generally by reference numeral 50. Closure device 50 is identical to closure device 10 except for the length of the clip portion 51 between the legs 43, 55/tabs 52, 54 and the top surface 41′ of the covering member 40′. This distance E1 from the top surface 41′ of covering member 40′ to the tip of the tabs 52, 54 in the memorized position is preferably abut 1 mm; in the substantially straightened position for delivery the distance is preferably about 0.43 mm. The distance E3 from the top surface 41′ to the tab region is preferably about 2.16 mm. The distance E2 from slot 57 to top surface 41′ is preferably about 2.6 mm. The length of the clip portion 51 in the substantially straightened delivery configuration is preferably about 8 mm.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, designated by reference numeral 70. Closure device 70 is identical to closure device 10 except for the provision of a single tab 72 instead of two tabs. In all other respects, the closure device is the same as device 10 of FIG. 1 as it has, e.g., two curved legs 74, 76 separated by slot 77 and an elongated covering member 78.

FIG. 5 illustrates the placement of the closure device of FIG. 1 in the vessel after the delivery instrument is withdrawn. The other closure devices would be inserted and placed in a similar manner. As shown in FIG. 5 covering member 40 abuts the internal opening on the internal side of the vessel V to cover (patch) the opening and the curved legs 20, 22 curve outwardly from axis M (FIG. 3) towards the tissue tract and aperture to engage the tissue and apply a proximal (upward) force on the elongated covering member 40. Retention tabs 30, 32 engage the external surface of the vessel wall or engage tissue abutting external surface of the vessel wall, depending on the tissue thickness, to limit movement of the patch into the vessel. The other clips described herein can be delivered and placed in a similar manner.

The delivery instrument extends through opening “a” in the skin, through the tissue tract to the vessel V, through an external opening in the vessel wall, through the aperture in the vessel wall, and through an internal opening on the internal side of the vessel wall into the vessel lumen Z to deliver the closure device.

For delivery, covering member 40 is ejected by a pusher (not shown) contacting wall 44 a (see FIG. 4A). As shown, in this delivery position tabs 30, 32 overlie top surface 41 of covering member 40. Once covering member 40 is deployed from the delivery instrument and positioned within the vessel, the closure device is further released from the delivery instrument so the clip legs 20, 22 are warmed by body temperature and move towards their memorized configuration. Note, as shown in FIG. 4B, the retention tabs 30, 32 are released when the covering member 40 is released. Release enables tabs 30, 32, to angle outwardly as they are warmed by body temperature and move toward their memorized configuration so they are transverse to an axis M (see FIG. 3) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the covering member 40. As shown, they preferably form an acute angle with axis M so they angle toward the covering member 40.

One method of deploying the clip legs is described in detail and illustrated in FIGS. 37A-37D in the '141 application and involves the release of the notches 28, 29 of clip legs 20, 22 from the clip engagement pin of the delivery system. The user pulls the sheath, delivery tube, and pusher proximally thereby pulling the covering member 40 against the internal opening of the vessel aperture to cover the opening in a patch-like manner spanning the internal opening to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. Once engaged with the aperture and abutting the internal vessel wall, further retraction of the sheath, delivery tube, and pusher is countered by the force of the vessel wall against the covering member 40 until the force exceeds that of the clip engagement pin of the pusher. At that point, notches 27, 29 will disengage from the pin as the proximal ends of the clip legs are cammed outwardly. Thus, further retraction releases the clip legs from the delivery tube and sheath. Once the legs are released, they are warmed by body temperature and move toward their curved position to retain the covering member 40.

Note as an alternate, tabs 30, 32 can be released subsequent to release of the covering member, then followed by release of the legs 20, 22 in a separate step by further withdrawal of the delivery instrument. Alternatively, the clip legs 20, 22, and tabs 30, 32 can be released substantially simultaneously so the entire clip portion is released substantially simultaneously after deployment of the covering member.

Note that although FIG. 4 shows the legs and tabs in the fully memorized position, it should be appreciated that the extent they move to this position will depend on the tissue. Also, in FIG. 4, for clarity, the tissue is not shown which the clip legs would engage. Also, a portion of the vessel has been cut away to illustrate the covering member 40 positioned therein.

In each of the embodiments described herein, although blunt tips are illustrated, alternately sharpened (tissue penetrating) tips can be provided on the clip legs to perform their retention function. Instead of the notches formed in the clip legs, the legs could have bent delivery tabs at their tips which curve inwardly toward the widened region of the clip portion. The delivery tabs function to retain the clip legs during delivery and allow subsequent release. The delivery tabs could be offset (non-symmetrical) with respect to each other. The ends of the legs could have widened areas to increase the surface area of tissue engagement. Further, barbs can be provided on the clip portion, e.g., the legs, tabs, etc., to provide additional retention.

In an alternate embodiment, rather than being perpendicular, the clip portion (containing the clip legs, tabs and connecting portion) can be positioned at an angle to the covering member. The angle could be about 45 degrees although other angles are contemplated.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate alternate embodiments of the closure device having looped segments or wings for contacting the tissue. This closed loop construction stiffens the overall clip, i.e. provides increased rigidity. Turning first to FIGS. 11A-11D hole (aperture) closure device 101 has a covering member or patch 140 and a clip portion 110 having two loops or wings 112 and 116. The covering member 140 is dimensioned and configured for positioning inside the vessel on the internal side of the vessel aperture against the internal wall A of the vessel V; the loops 112, 116 are configured to be positioned outside the vessel wall proximal the external side B of the vessel aperture. This positioning of the closure device is shown in FIG. 12 (note only a portion of one of the clip legs is shown).

Covering member 140, preferably elongated in configuration as shown, is retained in a delivery tube, as described above with respect to the other embodiments, in a longitudinal position for delivery to the vessel, and then pivots to a transverse position within the vessel lumen (substantially perpendicular to an axis extending through the aperture), for orientation to cover (patch) the vessel aperture on the internal side.

The clip portion 110 is also retained in the delivery tube in an elongated substantially straightened position for delivery to the vessel with the loops being substantially straightened. This delivery position is illustrated in FIG. 10F showing the covering member exiting from delivery tube T and a portion of the clip still within the tube. The clip portion 110 is preferably composed of shape memory material and can be maintained in this straightened martensitic position (during delivery) by the injection of cold saline. When released from the delivery tube, it moves toward its memorized position of FIGS. 11 a and 11C. The memorized position can be below the surface of the patch to provide enhanced clamping force on the vessel.

The elongated covering member 140 functions to cover (patch) the internal opening in the vessel wall to prevent the egress of blood. The covering member 140 is somewhat oval shaped with elongated parallel side walls 144 a, 144 b and parallel end walls 142 a, 142 b connecting the side walls 144 a, 144 b. Although the ends and sides preferably have straight wall portions, as in the aforementioned embodiments, curved walls are also contemplated. Covering member has a thicker region in the central region 143 than the first and second end regions 145, 147.

The clip portion 110 of FIG. 11 is preferably fabricated from a single sheet, strip or ribbon of material by stamping, laser cutting, photo-etching or other processes. This flat sheet (or strip or ribbon) of material has a width p greater than its thickness.

Elongated slot 127 divides the material into the two clip legs 120, 122 so the legs can curve out in opposite directions to form the loops 116, 112. The connecting region of the material (spaced from the leg region) forms an enlarged head or connection tab 126 for attachment to the covering member (patch) 140. That is, the covering member 140 is molded over the enlarged connection head 126 to attach the clip portion 110 to the covering member 140. Although a triangular shaped connection head is shown, as noted above, other shaped connecting heads are contemplated, such as a ring shown in FIG. 1A of the U.S. application Ser. No. 11/324,625, filed Jan. 3, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, which creates an enlarged region to increase the surface area to improve retention when the covering member is molded over the connecting head. The ring design also allows the resorbable material to flow inside the ring creating a rod of absorbable material to help retain the clip and patch together. This increases the shear strength of the joint. Alternatively, a suture extending through the ring can be utilized to increase the shear strength

As noted above, when the clip legs 120 and 122 are released from the delivery instrument, they are warmed by body temperature to curve as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C. The extent to which the clip legs can return to this memorized position will depend on the thickness and resistance of the tissue (and may also subsequently depend on the resorbtion of the patch). Once looped, the clip legs 120 and 122 which have two bending regions (the looped portions 116, 112 as well as loop 128, 129 before transitioning into elongate segment 130 and into head 126) along with the covering member 140 on opposing sides of the vessel apply a clamping force.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, designated generally by reference numeral 150. Closure device 150 is similar to closure device 101 except it is formed from round wire and has collar 160 for retaining ends 152, 154 of clip legs 151, 153, respectively. Covering member 170 is identical to covering member 140 except when insert molded has two slots to receive the looped engaging portion 158 of the clip. Similar to device 140, the clip legs form looped portions 162, 164, preferably substantially symmetrical as shown, for contacting the proximal tissue portion. Two additional bending regions 167, 169 are also formed.

As noted above, when the clip legs 151 and 153 are released from the delivery instrument, they are warmed by body temperature to curve as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C. The extent to which the clip legs can return to this memorized position will depend on the thickness and resistance of the tissue (and may also subsequently depend on the resorbtion of the patch). Once looped, the clip legs 151 and 153 which have two bending regions (the looped portions 162, 164 as well as loops 167, 169 for before transitioning into looped end 158) along with the covering member 170 on opposing sides of the vessel apply a clamping force.

As noted above, FIG. 12 illustrates the closure device closing a vessel aperture. FIG. 13 illustrates another clinical application of the closure device for closing a septal defect, the patent foramen ovale. The catheter 50 for delivering the closure device is shown adjacent the site, prior to ejection of the closure device, with “P” and “D” designating proximal and distal sides of the defect. The covering member (not shown) could be placed on either the distal or proximal side with the clip portion on the opposing side.

Although preferably composed of shape memory metal, the clip legs can alternatively be composed of a shape memory plastic, stainless steel, resorbable material, or other materials.

For example, the legs can be composed of titanium or stainless steel annealed and delivered in a substantially straight configuration and then buckled into the looped shape by applying an external downward force on the legs at the looped region. Due to being annealed, the loops would hold their shape. One way to effect buckling is to provide a tube or sheath to contact the clip portion to provide a downward force to move the clip legs outwardly. Preferably, while pushing down on the clip ears, the delivery device (not shown) could pull up on the patch (in the opposite direction).

It should also be appreciated that the shape memory clip legs shown herein represent their full formation, e.g. their memorized position, when formed without any tissue resistance. When placed in tissue, the tabs and clip legs would not necessarily move (curve) to the full extent shown. The extent of their movement or curve would depend in large part on the type and thickness of the patient's tissue.

To facilitate passage of the shape memory clip legs and tabs through the lumen of the delivery instrument and into the vessel, cold saline can be injected into the delivery instrument and around the legs and tabs in their collapsed position within the delivery instrument. The cold saline maintains the temperature dependent legs and tabs in a relatively softer more flexible condition as they are in the martensitic state within the delivery instrument. This facilitates their exit from the delivery instrument as frictional contact between the legs and tabs and the inner surface of the instrument is reduced.

In an alternate embodiment, the clip is made of a tube with slits to bow outwardly upon application of an external force.

It is also contemplated that a vacuum could be applied through the introducer sheath to suck in the walls of the vessel aperture to thereby reduce the size of the hole. The vacuum could also help to pull the patch tighter again in the vessel wall and help center the patch. The vacuum could also function to suck out excess blood from the tissue tract.

While the above description contains many specifics, those specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. The clip portion and covering member could be a multiple piece construction or the two clip legs could be positioned with respect to the covering member 90 degrees out of phase from FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations that are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto. 

1. A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall, the device comprising: a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture, the covering member having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture; and two legs having portions positionable external of the vessel, the legs curving outwardly to form first and second loop portions positioned external to the internal region of the vessel wall to contact tissue.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the two legs are fabricated from a unitary material.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the two legs are composed of shape memory metal material.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs are fabricated from a material which separates at a first region to form the legs and the material includes a connection region spaced distally from the first region to connect the legs to the covering member.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the legs are fabricated of metal material and the covering member is fabricated of a polymeric material molded over the metal material.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the covering member is composed of a resorbable material.
 7. The device of claim 3, wherein the covering member is composed of a resorbable material.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second loop portions are substantially symmetrical.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs have a connection portion extending through a slot in the covering member.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs are composed of shape memory material and delivered in a substantially straightened position and the covering member is composed of a resorbable material.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs are formed from a flat sheet of metal.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs are formed from a round wire.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs are formed from a tubing with slits to bow outwardly.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs are formed from annealed metal.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the legs curve outwardly upon application of an external force against a portion of the legs. 